President Donald Trump said the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was drained Monday to make repairs and that it “will be refilled and put back into service soon,” again claiming that vandals gashed the pool’s lining.
CNN observed that much of the water had been drained, revealing dried sediment, algae and some debris on what was supposed to be a freshly renovated landmark painted what Trump previously called “American flag blue.
Since Trump called for the pool’s renovation in April, the more than $14 million project has been plagued by massive algae blooms, green-hued water, a chipping bottom and allegations of vandalism.
The president said Monday night on Truth Social, “We drained the beautiful ‘Reflecting Pool’ today in order to fix the scars and damage that was done by the Vandals two weeks ago.”
“The slashes were 300 yards long, and the floor of the pool was cut and then pulled upward, with great force, by these thugs,” Trump said in the post.
